Charges in shooting dismissed

Both witnesses recanted their initial statements, a prosecutor said.

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

YOUNGSTOWN — There is no doubt in prosecutors’ minds that someone shot a city man multiple times in late June, but the problem is going to be proving who committed the crime.

J. Michael Thompson, an assistant Mahoning County prosecutor, asked Judge Scott R. Krichbaum of common pleas court to dismiss several criminal counts against an East Side man related to the shooting of Richard Watkins.

A grand jury indicted Rodney Bebbs, 33, of Sunshine Avenue, on charges of aggravated burglary, felonious assault and illegal possession of a weapon. Those charges, however, were dismissed Monday.

Thompson said someone entered Watkins’ home June 23 and began to pistol-whip the man before shooting him four times. Watkins survived the shooting and several days later told police Bebbs was the triggerman.

Court records show that Watkins’ mother, Tamara Brown, also was present in the home when the shooting took place and told police Bebbs was responsible.

Thompson said both Watkins and Brown were subpoenaed and contacted by the court’s victim-services office to appear before a jury for trial Monday, but they did not respond.

Watkins did touch base with prosecutors Friday, but made it clear that he would not be testifying against Bebbs, Thompson said.

Watkins, Thompson added, told prosecutors he had indeed been shot multiple times in his home, but he said he was passed out due to the use of illegal substances at the time of the shooting and could not identify the shooter.

Thompson said Watkins heard through word on the street that Bebbs was responsible for the shooting. Those rumors, Watkins told prosecutors, is what led him to identify Bebbs as the shooter.

“Mr. Watkins affirmatively and forcefully stated that he cannot testify against Rodney Bebbs, that he cannot identify the individual who shot him and that his mother cannot do so either,” Thompson said. “The state is left with no credible evidence to prosecute this case, and, regretfully ask that the case be dismissed ...”

Judge Krichbaum said there should be no regret in the justice system in knowing when to prosecute and when not to prosecute. The judge, before accepting the motion to dismiss from Thompson, mentioned the secondhand information heard by Watkins and Brown, saying that information would not be admissible in court. He also noted there is no scientific evidence linking Bebbs to the crime.

Bebbs was present in court, but he did not make a statement.

jgoodwin@vindy.com